Mona Vespa is the President of GO! St. Louis. GO! is a local non-profit organization that encourages individuals and families in the #STL region to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle year round. They accomplish this through community collaborations, school-based programming and the creation of new and fun fitness events:
“Running is my sport, my hobby and my profession! Personally, I can’t imagine a better way to explore your own city than on foot, and the greenways are the perfect way to do that! Every time I run a greenway, I am reminded that our city is incredibly diverse in landscape and character, but is also comprised of neighborhoods and communities who are all working towards a similar goal: to make their part of our city a vibrant and welcoming home. And as a part of my job, what a joy it is to share that with the runners and walkers of our area. I’ve used greenways for several GO! St. Louis race routes, and our Summer Passport program’s entire focus is to introduce more runners to the incredible gem of these paths throughout our city. GO! St. Louis is thankful for GRG’s work and dedication to outdoor recreation in our region!”
Home Greenway: All of them!
10 Great River Views You Can Only Enjoy From a Greenway
Posted on Monday July 15, 2024
Almost every greenway is either named for, connected to, meanders alongside or crosses over one of our region’s rivers or creeks.
Whether it’s the Mighty Mississippi or Dardenne Creek, greenways are great places to not only see stunning river views, but also enjoy the calming side effects of flowing water. There’s a good chance you’ll also spot some of the many birds and animals who make their home or migrate along the rivers. Here are 10 amazing river views you can enjoy on foot or bike via a greenway:
1. Mississippi River at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge Take the Mississippi Greenway: Chouteau Riverfront to Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (Riverfront Trail) to its northernmost point and walk or ride out to the center of the Historic Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. Depending on the season, you might spot a family of eagles. Look downstream and you can see the Gateway Arch. Listen closely and you can hear the water rippling over the chain of rocks below. If you want to drive, park on the Illinois side of the bridge here.
2. Missouri River at the Page Avenue Extension/364 Bridge Walking & Biking Lane The Page Avenue Extension/364 Bridge has a dedicated walking and biking lane that connects to the Katy Trail at mile 42.8 just south of the Family Arena in St. Charles County. On the east side, it connects to the 3.6 mile Creve Coeur Park Connector Trail. In the middle of the bridge there is a bump-out where you can pause to enjoy a bird’s- eye view of the Missouri River. The Centennial Greenway: Katy Trail to Schaefer Park and Spencer Creek Trail connects to this bridge on the St. Charles County side. In St. Louis County, you can take the Fee Fee Greenway: Aquaport to Creve Coeur Park all the way from the Maryland Heights Community Center, through the park to link up with the Connector Trail to the bridge.
3. Mississippi River from Mississippi Greenway: River City Casino to Jefferson Barracks Park This section of the Mississippi River Greenway offers magnificent views of the river as it stretches from Jefferson Barracks County Park north along the river. Be sure to slow down to watch the barges working the river. Plan your visit here.
4. Missouri River at Sunset Park The more the leaves fall, the better the views of the Missouri River in Sunset Park via the Sunset Greenway: Old Town Florissant to Sunset Park. Plan to spend the day exploring this greenway and finish with a sunset!
5. Mississippi River at Cliff Cave Park The Mississippi Greenway: Cliff Cave Park offers stunning views of the river from an overlook nestled into the rocky bluffs towering 170 feet over the river. You can also watch the river flow by on the paved 5 mile greenway in the lower section of the park.
6. Missouri River on the Boone Bridge The walking and biking path on the I-64 Daniel Boone Bridge lets you slow down and enjoy the Missouri River from the middle of the bridge—something you can’t do in a car. You can connect to the bridge via the Busch Greenway and Katy Trail in St. Charles County. The Missouri Greenway: Monarch Chesterfield Levee will get you there too!
7. Meramec River at Lower Meramec Park The greenway and St. Louis County Park not only offers great river views, but also serves as a natural flood plain so the river can spread out during high water and flooding. As you walk or ride, you’ll enjoy a mixture of woodlands and open fields. The trees are highly diverse with some of the best remaining woodlands in the Lower Meramec Valley. Plan your visit here.
8. Meramec River at Al Foster Trail Views of the river from the Al Foster Trail along the Meramec Greenway is sure to improve your mood as you meander through a bottomland forest next to soaring limestone bluffs. It’s a must see! Plan your visit here.
9. Meramec Greenway: Greentree Park to Arnold’s Grove The Meramec River makes a big turn near Kirkwood’s Greentree Park and it’s especially lovely to watch the light sparkling on the water in the morning and late afternoon. You can start your walk or ride in Greentree Park and follow the river all the way to Arnold’s Grove in Valley Park…or vice versa. Either way it’s a great way to enjoy the Meramec River. Plan your visit here.
Join Open Space Council for Willow Staking at Lower Meramec ParkJoin Open Space Council for
Saturday, December 2, 2023 • 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Saturday, December 2, 20239:00 am - 12:00 pm
Event Details
Lower Meramec Park & Greenway
Holzers Pk Rd, Sappington, MO 63128, USA
Volunteer check-in will be at the Holzers Parking Lot.
Join the Community Stewardship Alliance to stake willows along the Meramec riverbank at Lower Meramec Park to help with riverbank stabilization. No previous conservation experience is needed and volunteers are encouraged to come and learn.
Why willow staking?
Volunteers will stake willows as part of an ongoing project to help stabilize the riverbank. The willow trees will create a natural root system that will help to keep the soil from eroding further. This natural plant solution to erosion can help restore habitat for wildlife and keep the erosion from reaching the Meramec Greenway Trail so park users can continue to use and enjoy the trail.
Join Open Space Council for Honeysuckle Hack at Lower Meramec Park
Saturday, November 4, 2023 • 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Saturday, November 4, 20239:00 am - 12:00 pm
Event Details
Lower Meramec Park
4756 Krumm Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128, USA
Be a part of the community conservation effort at Lower Meramec Park, join us to hack some honeysuckle!
Volunteers will remove invasive bush honeysuckle, all tools and other supplies are provided.
Why remove bush honeysuckle? Bush honeysuckle prevents development of native tree, shrub, and ground layer species, displacing native species by outcompeting and shading the forest floor and depleting the soil of moisture and nutrients. Join passionate, like-minded volunteers in the removal of these invasive species at Lower Meramec Park!
This section of the greenway lies along the Meramec River bottomlands in St Louis County’s 273-acre Lower Meramec Park. It is a mixture of some of the best woodlands and open fields in the Lower Meramec Valley
Visit stloasis.org or call (314) 862–4859 ext 24 to learn more or to enroll.
Greentree Park, Marshall Road, Kirkwood, St. Louis, MO, USA
Passport to Clean Water will be held in Greentree Park; cleanup at different locations along the Meramec River
Volunteer for the biggest and longest-running river and watershed clean-up project in Missouri.
Operation Clean Stream will take place August 26th, at various locations throughout the Meramec Watershed. Join Open Space STL as they celebrate 56 years of improving local rivers and open spaces! Volunteers can sign up for a variety of water or land-based sites at Open Space STL.
Some of the sites along the Meramec Greenway include:
Lower Meramec Park Simpson Lake Park Emmeneger Nature Park Route 66 State Park
All volunteers are invited to Greentree Park for a post-cleanup celebratory picnic and Passport to Clean Water educational program for kids from 11:00-2:00 on Saturday, August 26th. Together, we can keep our watershed clean and safe!
Contact
Donate
Languages
Events
Visit Greenways
Future Projects
Get Involved
How We Work
